Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Project Gigabit: Chester South and Eddisbury

Wednesday 16 October 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions addressed concerns about Project Gigabit funding for rural areas.
  • Aphra Brandreth asked for a guarantee that rural communities would not be left behind.
  • Nick Smith requested information on improving broadband services in south Wales valleys.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South and Eddisbury
Business & Trade Local Government Environment
Context

Ofcom reports indicate that nearly half of the wards in her constituency are among the worst 30% of areas for broadband connectivity. There are concerns about funds potentially being diverted from rural to urban areas during Project Gigabit's review.

Question

My constituents will be deeply concerned by reports that the current review of the next stage of Project Gigabit could see funds diverted from hard-to-reach rural areas such as Chester South and Eddisbury to major cities. Will the Minister offer a concrete guarantee that no rural community will be left behind?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I do not see it as a divide between rural and urban, because there are urban issues as well as rural issues. The hon. Lady is absolutely right that the previous Government failed to deliver in her constituency, and we intend to put that right. She should not believe everything she reads in the newspapers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a concrete guarantee was not addressed.

How: She Should Not Believe Everything She Reads In The Newspapers

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Q2 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South and Eddisbury
Transport Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Ofcom reports indicate that nearly half of the wards in her constituency are among the worst 30% of areas for broadband connectivity. There are concerns about funds potentially being diverted from rural to urban areas during Project Gigabit's review.

Question

Will the Minister offer a concrete guarantee that no rural community will be left behind by the Government's review?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I am happy to arrange the same kind of meeting with my hon. Friend as I offered to the hon. Member for Chester South and Eddisbury (Aphra Brandreth). He is right that there are very significant problems in south Wales valleys communities, and we need to put those right.

Not addressed: The specific ask for a concrete guarantee was not addressed.

How: I Am Happy To Arrange The Same Kind Of Meeting With My Hon. Friend

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Q3 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Scotland Wales Science & Technology
Context

There is a need for improved connectivity in the south Wales valleys to support economic growth. However, getting definitive information on Project Gigabit's progress has been difficult.

Question

The Minister knows that improved connectivity is important to the economy of our south Wales valleys communities. Will he look into this so my constituents in Trefil and across Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney know when their broadband service will improve?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I am happy to arrange the same kind of meeting with my hon. Friend as I offered to the hon. Member for Chester South and Eddisbury (Aphra Brandreth). He is right that there are very significant problems in south Wales valleys communities, and we need to put those right.

Not addressed: The specific ask about investigating Project Gigabit's roll-out timeline was not addressed.

How: I Am Happy To Arrange The Same Kind Of Meeting With My Hon. Friend

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